Practical Design Research Articles

Striatal stimulation enhances cognitive control and evidence processing in rodents and humans.

Brain disorders, in particular mental disorders, might be effectively treated by direct electrical brain stimulation, but clinical progress requires understanding of therapeutic mechanisms. Animal models have not helped, because there are no direct animal models of mental illness. Here, we propose a potential path past this roadblock, by leveraging a common ingredient of most mental disorders: impaired cognitive control. We previously showed that deep brain stimulation (DBS) improves cognitive control in humans. We now reverse translate that result using a set-shifting task in rats. DBS-like stimulation of the midstriatum improved reaction times without affecting accuracy, mirroring our human findings. Impulsivity, motivation, locomotor, and learning effects were ruled out through companion tasks and model-based analyses. To identify the specific cognitive processes affected, we applied reinforcement learning drift-diffusion modeling. This approach revealed that DBS-like stimulation enhanced evidence accumulation rates and lowered decision thresholds, improving domain-general cognitive control. Reanalysis of prior human data showed that the same mechanism applies in humans. This reverse/forward translational model could have near-term implications for clinical DBS practice and future trial design.

New prognostic index for neoadjuvant chemotherapy outcome in patients with advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer

BackgroundA validated prognostic index for the outcome of patients with advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) remains elusive. To address this need, we developed an ovarian neoadjuvant chemotherapy prognostic index (ONCPI) to improve predictive accuracy.MethodsWe encompassed an analysis of the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with advanced HGSOC who were administered platinum-based NACT. Blood inflammatory composite markers were calculated and converted into binary values using optimal cutoffs. Omental hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained slides were selected for the assessment of chemotherapy response score (CRS), which served as a measure of NACT efficacy. Logistic regression analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression model were utilized to construct a prognostic index.ResultsMultivariate logistic analysis showed that both CRS and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) independently influenced the response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Meanwhile, Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analysis revealed that CRS score was significantly correlated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and patients with high NLR showed poor OS. We further developed an ovarian neoadjuvant chemotherapy prognostic index (ONCPI) based on the CRS and NLR. The area under the curve (AUC) value of ONCPI was 0.771 (P < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.656–0.887) for the prediction of platinum resistance. This AUC value surpasses that of the individual NLR and CRS, which were 0.670 (P = 0.018, 95% CI: 0.547–0.793) and 0.714 (P = 0.003, 95% CI: 0.590–0.839), respectively. Moreover, survival analysis suggested that patients with ONCPI of 0 and 1 were significantly associated with improved PFS and OS.ConclusionsThe ONCPI emerges as a significant prognostic marker for predicting NACT outcome in advanced HGSOC patients and holds promise for integration into clinical practice and risk-stratified trial design.

Stroke survivor and caregiver experiences of virtual reality gaming to promote social participation: A qualitative study.

Virtual reality (VR) gaming is a promising technology that can be applied in stroke rehabilitation to increase survivors' social engagement, though its optimal usage and effects on stroke recovery are not fully understood. This qualitative study aimed to investigate stroke survivors' and caregivers' perspectives of VR-based gaming rehabilitation modules for supporting post-stroke recovery and social participation. Twenty-eight participants (18 stroke survivors and 10 caregivers) were recruited through purposive sampling from acute hospitals in Hong Kong. Two rounds of semi-structured interviews were carried out, with the first round exploring participants' previous knowledge of VR, views about its relevance to stroke rehabilitation, and expected benefits. The second round of interviews was conducted immediately post-intervention to investigate participants' experience, satisfaction, and areas for improvement. Resulting data were thematically analysed. Most participants were female (75%) with secondary education or above (82%). For stroke survivors, the average duration since stroke was 9.39 (SD = 10.48) years and most were first-time survivors (89%). Main themes identified included (1) Shift in attitudes towards VR technology; (2) Perceptions of VR effectiveness; and (3) Practical drawbacks and design recommendations. Participants reported positive experiences with the VR-based gaming modules, including increased confidence in mobility and heightened awareness regarding outdoor safety and accessibility. Despite concerns regarding hygiene and discomfort with gaming equipment, participants found VR gaming to be engaging and conducive to their recovery. The VR-based gaming modules were well-received by survivors and their caregivers and considered as an appealing and useful method of post-stroke rehabilitation. Improvements in survivors' attitudes towards VR technology, and self-observed benefits to their physical and psychosocial health, were noted. Areas for optimisation included expansion of game length and contents, options for alternative gaming equipment, and enhanced design elements.

MacGen: A Web Server for Structure-Based Macrocycle Design.

Macrocyclization is a critical strategy in rational drug design that can offer several advantages, such as enhancing binding affinity, increasing selectivity, and improving cellular permeability. Herein, we introduce MacGen, a web tool devised for structure-based macrocycle design. MacGen identifies exit vector pairs within a ligand that are suitable for cyclization and finds 3D linkers that can align with the geometric arrangement of these pairs to form macrocycles. To aid in the fast acquisition of appropriate linkers, we have built an indexed 3D linker database that includes linkers of various lengths and categories. MacGen provides comprehensive configurable parameters that enable users to obtain preferred linkers, meeting unique requirements in practical ligand design scenarios. We hope MacGen will serve as a handy tool that can rapidly explore potential macrocycle space. The MacGen server is freely accessible at https://macgen.xundrug.cn.

The VAC Rotterdam's Work on Model Home Exhibitions (1951-1956): Women's Voices in Housing Must be Heard

In the post-World War II period in the Netherlands, a women’s organization set the agenda for improving the quality of social housing projects. Beginning in 1946, the Vrouwen Adviescommissie (Women Advisory Committee, VAC) in Rotterdam established a pathway in the 1950s for women’s interventions at a municipal level through bureaucratic procedures, particularly by engaging in intensive advisory activities. Consciously or not, those voluntary consultants were also making politics and defining space: their expertise influenced housing and urban design. However, their early role as organizers of model home exhibitions has been little explored. Why did the VAC Rotterdam believe that such exhibitions were necessary? This article documents the conceptual and design work of the VAC through the model homes exhibitions they produced in the postwar neighborhoods of Rotterdam from 1951 to 1956. Even before the well-known model homes were exhibited in the mid-1950s and 1960s in the Netherlands by the organization Goed Wonen (Good Dwelling) to improve standards for furnishing homes, the VAC made visionary efforts to strengthen the public’s relationship with social housing and practical interior design.

A multidisciplinary comprehensive nursing Management Approach for Catheter-related bloodstream infections.

Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI) stands as one of the leading causes of hospital-acquired infections, often resulting in high healthcare expenditure and mortality rates. Despite efforts, reducing the incidence of CR-BSI remains a significant challenge. This study aimed to assess the impact of a multidisciplinary organizational intervention on reducing intravenous CR-BSI. A quality improvement team was established to implement various interventions, utilizing the FOCUS-PDCA continuous quality improvement model and fishbone diagram for analysis and improvement. After the interventions, operational indicators for catheter insertion, maintenance, and removal improved from 82.50% ± 1.15%, 83.60% ± 1.60%, and 81.60% ± 1.80-95.30% ± 1.00%, 96.20% ± 1.62%, and 97.25% ± 0.50%, respectively. Additionally, catheter dwell time decreased from 7.50 ± 0.85 days to 3.50 ± 0.75 days, and the quarterly infection rate was reduced from 2.328% ± 1.85-0.305% ± 0.95% following the implementation of the intervention. Despite the available evidence, there remains a noticeable gap between the ideal evidence-based practices and their practical implementation. We aim to eradicate CR-BSIs within the surgical intensive care units (ICUs) of hospitals. To achieve this goal, we have introduced a comprehensive quality improvement framework designed not only to benefit our own ICU but also to serve as a model for implementation in other similar healthcare settings.

Shear Elastic Buckling and Resistant Behavior of Single-Side-Stiffened Steel Corrugated Shear Walls

Stiffened steel corrugated shear walls (SSCSWs) have achieved extensive applications in building structures and serve as efficient lateral force-resisting members. Single-side-stiffened steel corrugated shear walls (SS-SCSWs) are more flexible in terms of their structural configuration compared to conventional SSCSWs because this novel structural member effectively reduces wall thickness and simplifies the construction process. In this paper, numerical analyses were carried out to investigate the shear elastic buckling and resistant behavior of SS-SCSWs. A formula for the equivalent flexural stiffness of single-side stiffeners was given based on theoretical analysis. The elastic buckling and elastoplastic analyses of SS-SCSWs were carried out by finite element (FE) models to determine the value of the equivalent flexural stiffness coefficient. Meanwhile, the elastic and elastoplastic transition stiffness ratios of single-side stiffeners were proposed to predict the minimum stiffness required for the stiffener to provide sufficient constraint. The accuracy of the above formulas was verified by calculating the shear elastic buckling loads, the ultimate shear resistance, and the out-of-plane displacements of the SS-SCSWs. Furthermore, parametric analyses were performed to reveal the influences of the aspect ratio and plate thickness on shear resistance capacity. The equivalent flexural stiffness coefficients in both the elastic and elastoplastic analyses were determined to be 0.45 and 0.7, respectively, through curve fitting. The results indicated that the theory of BS-SCSWs could accurately predict the shear elastic and elastoplastic behavior of SS-SCSWs after modifying its expression for flexural stiffness. Consequently, the modified theoretical formulas were demonstrated to be suitable for SS-SCSWs in practical designs.

Study on the Macro-/Micrometric Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Clayey Sandy Dredged Fill in the Guangdong Area.

The study of dredged fill in Guangdong (GD), China, is of great significance for reclamation projects. Currently, there are relatively few studies on dredged fill in Guangdong, and there are many differences in the engineering characteristics of dredged fill foundations formed through land reclamation and natural foundations. In order to have a more comprehensive understanding of the physico-mechanical properties of blowing fill in the coastal area of GD and to understand the effect of its long-term creep row on the long-term settlement and deformation of buildings, the material properties, microstructure, elemental composition, triaxial shear properties, and triaxial creep properties of dredged fill in Guangdong were studied and analyzed through indoor geotechnical tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and conventional triaxial shear tests and triaxial creep tests. The test results showed that the Guangdong dredged fill is characterized by a high water content, high pore ratio, and high-liquid-limit clayey sand, and the mineral composition is dominated by quartz and whitmoreite. The scanning electron microscopy results showed that the particles of the dredged fill showed an agglomerated morphology, and the surface of the test soil samples had scaly fine flakes and a fragmented structure. In the triaxial shear test, the GD dredged fill showed strain hardening characteristics, and the effective stress path showed continuous loading characteristics; the consolidated undrained shear test showed that the GD dredged fill had shear expansion characteristics under low-perimeter-pressure conditions. It was found that, with an increase in bias stress, the axial strain in the consolidated undrained triaxial creep test under the same perimeter pressure conditions gradually exceeded the axial strain in the consolidated drained triaxial creep test. The results of this study are of theoretical and practical significance for further understanding the mechanical properties of silty soils in the region and for the rational selection of soil strength parameters in practical engineering design.

Proximity differences between forwards and defenders during goal scoring in soccer

The role of a forward player in soccer is to score goals by destabilising defensive systems. The act of goal scoring in open play is fast paced with players requiring perceptual ability to navigate the environment. The purpose of this research study was to explore goal scorers’ ability to perceive and adapt to the environmental threats to goal scoring at different competitive levels. All open play goals scored by forward players in the 2022/23 English Premier League, Championship, League 1, and League 2 divisions were analysed. Four observers recorded the proximity of defenders to the goal scorer at the moment of assist pass and moment of finish. Results showed significant differences existed between the proximity of defenders to the goal scorer between the assist pass and finish. When data was isolated to one touch finish goals within highly offensive zones, a reducing pattern of significant difference was found as league standard decreased. Findings offer an insight into the perceptual ability of forward players to destabilise defensive systems. Recommendations for practice design and talent identification are proposed.

Practical Repair Cost Assessment of Steel Office Buildings with Diverse Beam-to-Column Connection Types in Japan

This study investigates the seismic performance of beam-to-column connections in Japanese steel office buildings and evaluates their impact on repair costs as part of practical seismic loss assessment. Repair cost analysis is conducted following FEMA P-58 guidelines, utilizing a probabilistic seismic performance approach. Additionally, this study incorporates the damage and loss of non-structural components, accounting for uncertainties arising from various factors. By applying story loss functions and the Capacity Spectrum Method within the assessment framework of this study, the applicability of these methods in Japanese design practices is validated. A numerical model of a typical steel building is established based on prior experimental data, and a series of numerical analyses are conducted to quantitatively assess variations in building response distribution and fragility resulting from different beam-to-column connection types. Analysis results indicate that, within the range up to maximum strength, differences in connection performance contribute more to variations in fragility than to building response. Component fragility is particularly influenced by connection type and dimensions that affect inter-story drift ratios. This approach highlights the potential cost differences driven by structural specifications and emphasizes the importance of connection-specific fragility in accurately estimating seismic repair costs in practical design. Furthermore, improvements in structural performance have limited effects in reducing non-structural damage, underscoring the necessity of directly enhancing non-structural component performance.

Components of High-Yielding Cotton Grown in Rain-Fed Conditions in the Brazilian Cerrado

Brazil leads globally in achieving high lint yields for rain-fed cotton in large-scale fields, with about 92% of its cotton area unirrigated. This study hypothesized that cotton could achieve high yields when favorable climate conditions and management practices favor high fruit load. The objective was to analyze the impact of these factors on cotton yields by examining two commercial fields in Brazil in the same climatic zone (Aw, Koppen)—one in Sapezal (SPZ) and the other in Riachão das Neves (RN). The SPZ field (cv. TMG 47B2RF) spanned 20 hectares, while the RN field (cv. FM 974GLT) covered 90 hectares. The soils of both fields were classified as oxisols, with SPZ possessing a clayey texture and RN a sandy loam texture. The findings indicate that the high lint cotton yields—3111 kg·ha⁻1 in SPZ and 3239 kg·ha⁻1 in RN—were achieved through a combination of ideal weather conditions, high-quality soil, and effective management practices, which favored boll retention, and an optimal plant architecture with short stature (&lt;1.1 m), 19–22 nodes, and ~165 bolls m−2. Boll weights averaged 1.85–1.91 g of lint, and fruit retention rates were 61.6% in SPZ and 66.2% in RN. The study reveals a significant yield gap compared to Brazil’s average lint cotton yield (~1900 kg·ha⁻1) and other high-yield commercial fields (~3500–3900 kg·ha⁻1 of lint). The results underscore that bridging this gap—ranging from 1200 to 2000 kg·ha⁻1—could enhance the sustainability of cotton farming in Brazil by maximizing existing cultivated areas. Ultimately, the insights from this study highlight the role of combining climate suitability, management practices, and soil quality improvement to achieve higher cotton productivity and reduce environmental pressures from agricultural expansion.

A multi-strategy enhanced reptile search algorithm for global optimization and engineering optimization design problems

The reptile search algorithm (RSA) is a well-known swarm-based metaheuristic algorithm inspired by the hunting behaviors of crocodiles. To overcome the problems of falling into local optima and premature convergence, this paper proposes a multi-strategy enhanced reptile search algorithm (MRSA), which integrates a novel dynamic evolutionary sense, prey approaching strategy and Cauchy mutation strategy. The prey approaching strategy comes from the secretary bird optimization algorithm and is applied to strengthen the exploration capability of RSA. A comparative performance analysis is conducted using the CEC2005, CEC2017 and CEC2022 benchmark functions. And fifteen algorithms are employed for the performance comparison. The results of numerical, convergence curves, boxplots, Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Friedman ranking confirm the efficacy and stability of proposed MRSA, indicating its superior performance compared to other algorithms. Moreover, seven practical engineering design tasks are used to test the performance of MRSA in real-world optimization problems. The results also show that MRSA can efficiently obtain better optimal solution compared to existing methods.

Boundary crossings: innovating assessment practices in higher education

Purpose Advancing assessment practices represents an underexplored yet integral dimension of further progress for the field of sustainability-related teaching and learning in higher education. This study aims to address this area by seeking to understand the barriers that program leaders and instructors face in advancing assessment practices to identify possible innovations. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual framework centered on boundaries and boundary crossings is used to conceptualize barriers and possibilities in innovating assessment practices. The study then examines how a boundary object, the deliberation of assessment practices among a sustainability education community of practice, can be leveraged to identify boundaries and boundary crossings. Through an exploratory action research approach, data were collected via workshops, interviews and a survey. These were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings Six themes were identified as key areas for barriers and possibilities for advancing assessment practices. These themes are: defining sustainability education, practice characteristics, interdisciplinary approaches, transdisciplinary strategies, meeting demands and facilitating innovations. For each theme, status quo practices and potential innovations are described as well as boundary-crossing strategies to enable advances in practice. Originality/value This study considers the conceptual, practical and logistical breakthroughs needed to advance assessment practices across course, program and institutional levels of sustainability-related teaching and learning in higher education. The insights from the study provide considerations for the design and implementation of assessment practices while also suggesting the value of participatory deliberative processes in shaping innovations in practice.

Safe Reinforcement Learning With Dual Robustness.

Reinforcement learning (RL) agents are vulnerable to adversarial disturbances, which can deteriorate task performance or break down safety specifications. Existing methods either address safety requirements under the assumption of no adversary (e.g., safe RL) or only focus on robustness against performance adversaries (e.g., robust RL). Learning one policy that is both safe and robust under any adversaries remains a challenging open problem. The difficulty is how to tackle two intertwined aspects in the worst cases: feasibility and optimality. The optimality is only valid inside a feasible region (i.e., robust invariant set), while the identification of maximal feasible region must rely on how to learn the optimal policy. To address this issue, we propose a systematic framework to unify safe RL and robust RL, including the problem formulation, iteration scheme, convergence analysis and practical algorithm design. The unification is built upon constrained two-player zero-sum Markov games, in which the objective for protagonist is twofold. For states inside the maximal robust invariant set, the goal is to pursue rewards under the condition of guaranteed safety; for states outside the maximal robust invariant set, the goal is to reduce the extent of constraint violation. A dual policy iteration scheme is proposed, which simultaneously optimizes a task policy and a safety policy. We prove that the iteration scheme converges to the optimal task policy which maximizes the twofold objective in the worst cases, and the optimal safety policy which stays as far away from the safety boundary. The convergence of safety policy is established by exploiting the monotone contraction property of safety self-consistency operators, and that of task policy depends on the transformation of safety constraints into state-dependent action spaces. By adding two adversarial networks (one is for safety guarantee and the other is for task performance), we propose a practical deep RL algorithm for constrained zero-sum Markov games, called dually robust actor-critic (DRAC). The evaluations with safety-critical benchmarks demonstrate that DRAC achieves high performance and persistent safety under all scenarios (no adversary, safety adversary, performance adversary), outperforming all baselines by a large margin.

Design of CMOS low noise amplifier with inductive degeneration for navigation application

Abstract This paper presents an advanced Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) tailored for high-precision navigation applications, designed using the 180nm technology node and implemented in Cadence Virtuoso. The LNA features a single-ended amplifier configuration with cascaded NMOS transistors to achieve superior isolation and input matching through source degeneration, optimizing gain and noise performance. At 1.2 GHz, the amplifier achieves a gain of 33 dB and a noise figure of 1.3 dB. It demonstrates a 1 dB compression point of –16 dBm and a third-order intercept point (IIP3) of –10 dBm, with a power consumption of 44 mW from a 1.8 V supply. Post-layout simulations reflect a noise figure of 2.9 dB and a gain of 19.5 dB, highlighting practical design considerations. The layout area is 0.51 mm², underscoring the compact yet highly efficient design.

Determining ideal practices for student course evaluations using a modified Delphi approach

While approaches for utilizing student course evaluations (SCEs) have been discussed in the literature, there remain opportunities to identify ideal practices for SCEs. Thus, the objective of this project was to generate consensus on best practices in creating, administering, and using SCEs. A modified Delphi approach was utilized to generate a set of items based on the literature and prior work. Experts were identified from different roles, institution types, and geographic regions to participate in the panel. Consensus-building rounds were performed until no new ideas were introduced using an electronic survey platform. Data were analyzed descriptively each round. After the second round, 47 items met consensus. Key recommendations included enhanced training of students to provide feedback, transparency with students on how feedback is utilized, using SCEs as one element of data sources, and the importance of ensuring intentional approaches based on theoretical constructs used in the field of course evaluation. This Delphi study established consensus on approaches programs can use to optimize SCEs, according to experts from across the academy. Though some items are very specific, there are opportunities for individualization based on program priorities.

Mitigating Temperature Effects in Curved Continuous Steel Box Girders: A Parametric Thermodynamic Analysis and Design Recommendations

Curved continuous steel box girders are extensively utilized in bridge construction due to their efficiency and environmental benefits. However, in regions with significant temperature fluctuations, temperature effects can result in cumulative deformation and stress concentration, which may severely impact structural safety and durability. This study examines the structural response of curved continuous steel box girders with five spans under diverse temperature conditions and also develops a comprehensive parameterized thermodynamic numerical model. The model assesses the influence of cross-sectional shape parameters, including the number of cross-sectional box chambers, diaphragm thickness, and height-to-width ratio, as well as longitudinal structural parameters such as planar configurations, width-to-span ratio, and support arrangements, along with the arrangement of stiffening ribs on the temperature-induced effects in the girders. The results indicate that optimizing the width and eccentricity of support stiffeners to 30% and 25%, respectively, in support plate size can significantly alleviate local temperature-induced stresses. Additionally, variations in longitudinal and transverse stiffeners manifest minimal impact on thermal performance. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for improved design and construction practices, offering practical design recommendations to mitigate temperature effects and enhance the longevity and safety of such structures.

Museum Fatigue: Spatial Design Narrative Strategies of the Mawangdui Han Tomb

Museum fatigue refers to the physical and psychological fatigue that visitors experience when visiting exhibitions due to information overload, dense display, or monotonous space design. This study takes Mawangdui Han Tomb as an example, draws on Lefebvre’s spatial triad theory, and realizes the transformation of cultural connotation from tomb space into museum space by analyzing perceived space, conceived space, and lived space. This transformation process also proposes a spatial design narrative strategy for this study to solve the problem of museum fatigue. This qualitative study uses ethnography to understand the Taoist and ritual-influenced tomb culture of the Mawangdui Han Tombs, followed by a phenomenological analysis of the museum (lived space). The research results show that a reasonable spatial layout, coherent narrative clues, and a multi-sensory interactive experience significantly improve audience concentration and reduce fatigue. This study provides practical design suggestions for future historical and cultural exhibitions.

Experimental study and theoretical analysis on mechanical properties of prestressed bolted glulam connections under cyclic loading

Due to the development of assembled buildings and public environmental awareness, glulam structures have been widely concerned nowadays which have the advantages in terms of energy efficiency and environmental protection, compared with concrete and steel. However, the beam-to-column connections connected by bolts with slotted-in plates in glulam frame structures generally have some disadvantages, such as the low load-bearing capacity, low stiffness, low ductility, and poor energy dissipation capacity. To improve the mechanical performances of conventional glulam beam-to-column connections against seismic effect, a prestressed bolted glulam connection was proposed in this paper. Twelve connection specimens from four groups were tested and numerically studied under cyclic loading. The results show that the application of prestressing force can improve the brittle failure of connections. Compared with the traditional glulam bolted connections, the application of prestressing force can improve the load-bearing capacity, energy dissipation capacity, ductility and initial stiffness of the connection, and slow down the stiffness and strength degradation. However, excessive prestressing may cause an early failure of the connection. The numerical analysis shows that the bolt diameter and the number of steel bars have significant positive influence on the load-bearing capacity of the connection. Even though increasing bolt diameter would be more efficient for the mechanical behavior of the connection, the transverse splitting failure of glulam would be more likely to occur. A calculation formula for the load-bearing capacity and a theoretical model for the moment-rotation relationship of the prestressed bolted glulam beam-column connections are proposed respectively for practical design. The rotation behavior evaluation of the prestressed bolted glulam beam-column connections indicates that the proposed connections are classified as semi-rigid connections, which can be used for ductility design.

Candle flame generated Co and Fe single atoms supported in soot as novel host for lithium-sulfur batteries with excellent electrochemical performance

By simply introducing metal salts into paraffin, Co and Fe single atoms dispersed in candle soot (CS) can be directly collected from the flame of home-made candles without any byproducts. STEM, XRD and XANES analysis demonstrate that Co and Fe exist in single atom state. The prepared Co-CS and Fe-CS, with high specific area and excellent sulfur loading capability, can be used as innovative host for cathode to assemble Li-S pouch cells, and exhibit excellent electrochemical performance with higher specific capacities (approximately 1250 mAh/g at 0.1 C with 7.5 mg/cm² sulfur loading) and improved cycling stability (retaining about 63 % of capacity after 50 cycles) than bare CS host. Meanwhile, density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that Fe-CS/Co-CS decrease the energy barriers of conversion reactions from Li2S8 to Li2S due to the increased binding energy between Co-CS/Fe-CS and LiPSs, therefore effectively mitigating the polysulfides shuttle effect. Such a strategy holds promise for practical cell-level designs in Li-S batteries.